She was grateful for the interruption. Britt tended to ask questions until she got answers.

On the beach, Jens had the firepit going. He whistled while stirring the coals with a poker, making clouds of embers dance into the air. He looked like some ancient gnome performing a ritual.

Ninni sat down on a patch of grass and sighed with contentment while Britt walked over to the firepit to talk to Jens. Planting potatoes was hell on the back. A mild breeze cooled her face.

‘Are you hungry, my girl?’ Jens popped up in front of her.

‘Yes, I am, actually. What are you cooking?’

Jens scratched his nose. ‘There’s sausages for the kids, but they’ll want to cook those themselves. I have potatoes roasting between the coals, and if someone is willing to go out in the boat to pick some fresh mussels, that would be a kindness indeed.’

Ninni frowned. ‘Ugh, no, thank you. I’ll take sausages over mussels any day.’

‘You’re a strange islander.’ He patted her knee.

‘My mother is a mainlander,’ Ninni said. She waved her hand at the pit. ‘Haven’t you got any proper food in there?’

‘A few things, yes. A pork chop or two, and the Englishman brought something that looks interesting, including some delicious-smelling beef. You won’t starve.’

‘As long as you have enough ketchup, I’m happy.’ She laughed at him when he pulled a face at her.

‘Ketchup?’ Jack towered over them. He looked slightly cleaner.

Ninni’s heart gave a jolt. She hadn’t heard him coming. ‘Yes, I like ketchup.’ She became defensive.

He grinned. ‘I have nothing against tomato sauce; I just prefer to cook it myself.’

Jens turned his attention on him. ‘Do you like mussels, Englishman?’

‘Of course I do. Do you need any help prepping anything?’

Ninni almost groaned, knowing what would follow. ‘Don’t fall for it, Jack. He needs someone to go and pick mussels,’ she said.

‘From where?’ Jack looked intrigued.

Ninni pointed to the water. ‘From out there.’

‘I’ve never done that. Can I come?’ Jack looked eager.

Jens grinned. ‘See? He’s willing to help. You don’t want me to send him out there on his own, do you?’

No, she didn’t. He’d probably drown if he tried. Ninni sighed and got up. ‘Come along then.’

Jens rubbed his hands together. ‘At least a bucketful, my girl, and make sure you clean them before you bring them in.’

‘Yeah, yeah,’ Ninni said, stamping towards the pier.

Jack kept up the pace. ‘You don’t really want to do this?’

Ninni laughed. ‘I don’t mind. It makes him happy if he thinks he’s forcing me. Just look at him.’

Jack looked over his shoulder and Jens waved at him, clearly pleased with himself.

‘I see what you mean,’ Jack said.

He followed her to the pier and they both climbed into the nearest rowing boat. He put on the life jacket she handed him, without argument this time.

Jack looked around. ‘Where are we going?’